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Monday, September 03, 2012

Last Week in SigEp Patriot History, 27 AUG – 02 SEP

Brothers,

Another one of those “just when you start thinking the world is a big place” stories – The other day Operation ENDURING FREEDOM Veteran and FL Iota Brother First Lieutenant William “Chase” Busch, U.S. Army sent me a Facebook message telling me about how he was conducting some training of his replacement in Afghanistan, and when they got to talking they learned they were both brothers of Sigma Phi Epsilon. What are the chances of that? Two SigEp Patriots not only find each other in Afghanistan, but one is relieving the other.

29 AUG 1918

On this date, Founding Father and Chaplain First Lieutenant Franklin Webb Kerfoot, U.S. Army (Chaplain Corps) was killed in a collision of an automobile and a train on the Southern Railway in Chatham, Virginia. Brother Kerfoot had temporarily returned home from Newport News where he was served as a Baptist chaplain working among the soldiers departing overseas.

Franklin was born at Buckland, Prince William County, Virginia on 02 OCT 1986. He was Class of 1902 at Richmond College and later attended Crozer Theological Seminary. At his memorial service he was remembered as “the most original preacher of his time” and it was stated that God took him to welcome the soldiers who had “passed on” from the battle field.

Respect can be paid to Founding Father Kerfoot at Green Hill Cemetery in Berryville, VA. While he is gone, SPP will proudly join others in remembering Brother Kerfoot’s life and patriotic service.

01 SEP 1918

World War I Veteran and NH Alpha Brother Private First Class Charles Enos Tayntor,U.S. Army Ambulance Service, Army Medical Corps sailed for France for his service in Europe on this date.

30 AUG 1941

World War II Battle of Midway Veteran and IL Alpha Brother Joseph Metcalf Hissem received his commission as an Ensign in the U.S. Navy Reserve on this date.

01 SEP 1962

On this date, World War II Veteran, SigEp Citation Recipient and VA Zeta Brother General Robert Jefferson Wood, U.S. Army (Retired) was promoted to the rank of general (four-stars).

02 SEP 2004

U.S. Navy World War II Veteran CO Alpha Brother Donn Beck Browndied peacefully on this date. He was born on 17 DEC 1916, in Dayton, Ohio, and attended the University of Colorado where he earned his mechanical engineering degree. World War II brought Donn to California. He served in the United States Navy in underwater demolition, which was the precursor to the Navy Seals. After his military service, Donn began his career with A.J. Bayer, Co. in Los Angeles, eventually becoming President and Chairman of the company. One of Donn's greatest joys was helping others. He served on the Board of Directors of many organizations, including the Boy Scouts of America, the Salvation Army, Florence Crittenton Center, Hollywood Presbyterian Hospital, First Lincoln Financial Corp. and Union Bank.

28 AUG 2008

On this date, U.S. Navy Veteran, Former District Governor and IN Alpha Brother Rex Arden Sebastian died in Dallas, Texas.

Rex was born 16 SEP 1929 in Robinson, Illinois. He earned a Bachelor of Science Degree at Purdue (1951) and a Masters of Business Administration Degree from Indiana University (1952) before starting his first position in production management supervision for Proctor and Gamble in Cincinnati, Ohio. Then he served for 33 months as an officer in the Supply Corps of the U.S. Navy.

Brother Sebastian went overseas to work for Cummins Engine Company, Inc. where he was Managing Director of Cummins Engine Company, Ltd., in Scotland. His last position with Cummins was Vice President-International, headquartered in London, England, with responsibility for all international operations. In 1966, he left Cummins to join Dresser as Vice President-International Operations, responsible for all operations outside of the United States. Rex served as Senior Vice President-Operations, Office of the Chairman, Dresser Industries, Inc., from JAN 1975 to JUL 1985, at which time he took early retirement. In his capacity, Brother Sebastian had total corporate responsibility for one of Dresser's defined product segments, the General Industrial Segment. In terms of annual revenue, the General Industrial Segment accounted for approximately $1 billion.

Ever supportive of Indiana University, Rex served as a member of the Dean's Advisory Council, School of Business, Indiana University where, for several years, he served as Chairman of the Membership Committee, and he was made a member of the Indiana University, School of Business Alumni Association, Academy of Alumni Fellows.

After his retirement, Rex returned to Texas where he continued his commitment to the community. He served as a member and as a past Chairman of the Dean's Advisory Council, College of Business Administration and Graduate School of Business, the University of Texas at Austin and as a member and past Chairman of the Dean's Advisory Council, School of Management, the University of Texas at Dallas. Rex also established two professorships in the College and Graduate School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin.

Respect can be paid to Brother Sebastian at the Sparkman Hillcrest Memorial Cemetery in Dallas, TX. He is gone, and SPP pledges that Rex and his patriotic service will always be remembered.

02 SEP 2009

U.S. Navy World War II Veteran NY Beta Brother John William Bacon died on this date in Soquel, California at the age of 82.

John was born in Chicago, Illinois in 1927. At 18 he joined the Navy and after his service, John attended Cornell University graduating with a BS in Industrial Relations. In 1951, Brother Bacon moved to Washington, DC to work for BNA Publishing Company and attend law school at George Washington University. In 1957, he took a job with the Food Employer's Council (FEC) and moved to Los Angeles.

He finished his career with the FEC as President. After FEC, John began a labor relations publication and consulting practice; with one of his clients being SaveMart Supermarkets, headquartered in Modesto, California. He formally joined SaveMart and served as the Vice President of Human Resources until his retirement in 1994. Thereafter, John moved to Soquel, California to enjoy his retirement years. In Soquel, Brother Bacon was involved with charities and organizations including the United Way and the Seymour Center/ Long's Marine Lab in Santa Cruz.

01 SEP 2010

On this date, Operation ENDURING FREEDOM Veteran and FL Beta Brother Captain Charles Nathan “Nate” Davis, Jr., U.S. Army pinned on his current rank.

On the same day, U.S. Navy World War II Veteran IL Alpha Brother Walter William Rust, died at his home in Bellevue, Washington at the age of 84.

He was born 25 FEB 1926 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. While growing up in Elgin, Illinois Walt won several city ice skating races, including two Chicago Tribune Silver Skates titles. He set national records in the 1/2 and 3/4 mile as a juvenile and junior en route to several state, national and North American race titles. In 1944 he graduated from Elgin High School, and was inducted into the Elgin Sports Hall of Fame in 1996.

Walt served in the U.S. Navy as a radioman aboard the escort aircraft carrier USS Puget Sound (CVE-113) from 1944 to 1946 in the South Pacific. He graduated from the University of Illinois in 1950.

He moved his family to Seattle in 1953, and shortly thereafter they moved to Bellevue. In 1955, he bought his first, and only, new car. In 1961 Brother Rust's job with Weyerhaeuser took the family to their home in Los Alamitos, CA where they lived until 1966. Then it was back to Bellevue where he retired from Weyerhaeuser in 1980. Spotting an opportunity, he started his own business, Pasayten Incorporated, in MAR 1980. In 2008 he returned to retired life. Walt was an active outdoorsman, athlete, photographer, sailor, wood carver and Little League umpire. He competed in cycling and placed in state, national, and world events into his 70's. He was active in the Boy Scouts for more than 20 years. He served as Scout Master and Assistant Scout Master with Troop 600 of Bellevue and was awarded the Silver Beaver. He had 2 Model A Fords and was a member of the Evergreen A's of Bellevue where he formed some great friendships.

Respect can be paid to Brother Rust at Sunset Hills Memorial Park, 1215 145th Place SE, Bellevue, WA. While gone, SPP pledges that Walt’s life and patriotic service will always be remembered.

02 SEP 2010

On this date, on the 65th anniversary of the mission he commanded flying the official photos of the Japanese surrender back to Washington, D.C., World War II and Vietnam War Veteran, and UT Alpha Brother Lieutenant Colonel William J. Gibson, U.S. Air Force (Retired) died at his home in Air Force Village, San Antonio, Texas.

He was born in Ogden, Utah on 28 APR 1920. He entered active duty with the Army Air Corps in October 1941 as a B-17 pilot. Immediately after the attack on Pearl Harbor, he deployed to the Pacific Theater, where he flew numerous combat missions against enemy shipping and ground targets. At age 24 he was the youngest Lieutenant Colonel in the Army Air Corps, commanding a squadron of B-29s. In the last mission of the war, he led a composite crew drawn from all the air crews in the Pacific Theater to fly the official photos of the Japanese surrender back to Washington, D.C.

Brother Gibson also served in Vietnam, completing more than 1,000 combat missions. He was rated in 62 different aircraft from bi-planes to jets, with more than 22,000 flying hours. William earned bachelors and masters degrees from Utah State University and Weber State University. He was a member of the Quiet Birdmen and the Order of Daedalians. He volunteered for many years as a docent at the Institute of Texas Cultures, and served the Air Force Association as a National Director and a trustee of the Aerospace Education Foundation. Brother Gibson was devoted to his fellow veterans of the 505th Bomb Group, who met regularly for reunions under his direction.

Respect can be paid to Brother Gibson at Ben Lomond Cemetery, North Ogden, Utah.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family, friends and chapter brothers of SigEp Patriot Pert. While gone, SPP pledges that Bub will never be forgotten.

CELEBRATIONS!

* Operation IRAQI FREEDOM Veteran and OH Rho Brother Captain Matthew Phillip Basil, U.S. Army is now engaged to Carissa Tobin, a First Lieutenant in the U.S. Army. Congratulations to Matt and Carissa on their future nuptials!

* Yesterday, Operation ENDURING FREEDOM Veteran and FL Iota Brother First Lieutenant William “Chase” Busch, U.S. Army was presented the Bronze Star Medal in recognition of his service in Afghanistan. Congratulations Chase and thank you for your service!

Have great news about a promotion, new orders, the birth of a child or anything else? SPP would love to share it with everyone! Just send an email to sigepswhoserve@gmail.com.

SIGEP PATRIOTS PROJECT (SPP) UPDATE

*Michigan Eta Brother First Lieutenant Dominic Perry, U.S. Air Force recently joined the ranks of SigEps Who Serve – the official Facebook group of the SigEp Patriots Project. Go to http://www.facebook.com/groups/sigepswhoserve to join Brother Perry and nearly 500 other brothers-in-arms. All we ask is your military affiliation and home chapter. Please help SPP find our fellow SigEp Patriots by sending them the link.

*Not on Facebook? No problem. We hope all SigEp Patriots will request to be added to the SPP listserve and join over 100 brothers using that to stay connected.